Is Your Car AC Not Working? Visit Your Ford Dealer Today

Overheating is a huge threat to any car's engine. The radiator plays a key role in keeping the engine cool by drawing heat from the coolant as it circulates throughout the system. If your radiator runs into trouble, head to your local Ford dealer right away for radiator repair. If you notice but ignore any of the following signs of a malfunctioning radiator, your engine could rapidly overheat and undergo permanent damage. more 5 Signs Your Ford Needs a Radiator Repair Overheating Engine The most urgent indication of a bad radiator is an overheating engine. If your cooling system fails and the engine heats up, you'll see the engine temperature gauge rising into the red on your dashboard. Never ignore this gauge; pull over at once, allow your engine to cool down, and call for professional assistance. Further signs of overheating include ticking or knocking sounds, white vapor coming from under the hood, and plummeting engine power. The hood will also become hot to the touch. Damaged Radiator Fins It's a good idea to visually check your radiator once in a while. If you find leaves and other debris clogging the radiator's fins, clean it all away as the airflow between the fins is vital for dispersing the heat. If any of the fins are bent or cracked, you may need a new radiator. Low or Leaking Coolant You can check the level and condition of your coolant by looking at the coolant reservoir, which is typically transparent. If the coolant has sunk below the minimum level marker, top it up at once. If your coolant keeps declining in volume, you may have a leak; check under your car for puddles of fluid that matches the color of the coolant inside the reservoir. If it's coolant, the fluid will also have a sweet smell. Rust Inside the Radiator When coolant grows old and deteriorates, it loses its anti-corrosion properties. As a result, it's possible for rust to form inside the radiator. If this occurs, your coolant will gradually become discolored, fading to a rusty brown color inside the reservoir. Rust on the Radiator You can also look for patches of rust on the outside of the radiator. A little rust can often be cleaned away before harm is done. But if you find extensive rust, the radiator may soon leak and will probably have to go. Your Ford Dealer Can Inspect Your Cooling System It's wise to have your radiator and entire cooling system inspected every 30,000 miles (you can check the recommended interval for your vehicle in the owner's manual). Our experienced technicians can visually inspect and pressure-test various elements of your radiator, examine the rest of the cooling system, and flush the coolant if need be. Visit Jack Madden Ford Sales Inc in Norwood, MA, today to have your radiator promptly repaired or replaced. We've been providing top-notch service to the region's drivers for over 70 years.

It's important that you visit your Boston area Ford dealer when you need a transmission repair. However, sometimes the signs that your transmission is faulty are difficult to spot. It would be smart for you to learn the various signs that you're having an issue with your transmission, and that way, you can come by at the first sign of trouble. more 1. Your Vehicle Refuses to Switch Gears If your vehicle won't change gears, or if it seems to be having trouble doing so, then you likely have low transmission fluid. Come by, and we'll get the problem dealt with in no time. 2. Something Smells Like It's Burning Burning odors can be a sign that your vehicle is overheating, and the aroma can also indicate that your transmission fluid is burning up due to old age. Bring your vehicle to us, and we'll take a look. 3. Your Vehicle Is Making Noises in Neutral Novel noises are never a good sign when they occur in your vehicle, and when they occur while your vehicle is in neutral, then they most likely indicate a problem with your transmission. This noise can indicate various transmission problems, so this could be a simple fix, or it could be something incredibly serious. Get to us as quickly as you can, as you don't want to let a serious issue go on for too long. 4. Your Vehicle Is Slipping Gears Slipping gears is incredibly dangerous, so stop driving immediately. If you keep driving, then you're putting everyone on the road in danger. Call a tow truck to take you to the dealer, as you need a technician to take a look at your transmission system ASAP. 5. You Have a Transmission Fluid Leak You can spot a transmission fluid leak if there's a red puddle near your vehicle. You can confirm that it's transmission fluid by sniffing it. If it's transmission fluid, then it will smell sweet. You should also check on your fluid levels regularly, and make a note when one of them is dropping faster than usual. Fluid that's dropping faster than usual is a sign of a leak, so let your technician know what's happening. 6. Your Vehicle Starts Shaking and Grinding When your vehicle starts shaking and grinding, then it's almost certainly a sign that there's a problem with your transmission. The shaking and grinding will usually occur when you try to change gears. 7. Your Vehicle Has Started to Hum, Whine, or Clunk When your vehicle starts making a clanking, whining, or humming sound, then your transmission is most likely what's behind it. As we said earlier, new noises are never something you should ignore, but it's a good idea to let your technician know what those noises are when they occur. That way, your technician can get a good idea of what part of your vehicle to examine first, and that will make the diagnosis and repair process more efficient. If you're near Norwood MA or the greater Boston area, come over to Jack Madden Ford if you're having any of the problems described above. We'll make sure your transmission is fixed by our factory-trained Ford Experts.

An alternator charges the battery, and when it malfunctions, all sorts of issues pop up. Worst of all, a failing alternator could get you stranded next to the road. The following signs will warn you if you need an alternator repair from your Massachusetts Ford dealer asap. more 1. The Battery Warning Light Is On The battery warning light goes on when there is a problem with the electrical system. If your car's alternator is failing, the voltage fluctuates, and that's what triggers the battery warning light. It's best to ask your Ford technician to take a look and fix the problem as soon as possible. 2. Dim Headlights It's your alternator that ensures that your headlights and dashboard lights are bright. When you notice that your dashboard lights and headlights are dimmer than usual, the alternator could be the culprit. When your alternator is failing, your car's headlights will also change from bright to dim when you accelerate. 3. Issues With Accessories When the voltage fluctuates, you'll have hassles with the accessories. Suddenly the electric windows and the windshield wipers will operate slower. You will also have issues with the sunroof, heated seats, and power locks. This happens because the computer cuts the power to items that are non-essential items first, such as accessories that are now acting up or not working at all. 4. Strange Noises An alternator is made up of many moving components. When any parts fail or break, you will hear whining, rattling, and grinding sounds coming from under the hood. The noises could be caused by bad or broken bearings or a misaligned belt. Don't ignore strange sounds that you are not familiar with. Get it checked out soon before you start hearing rattling noises, which means the malfunctioning alternator caused damage to the engine. 5. Burning or Electrical Smells An overworked alternator with worn and broken parts will cause unpleasant electrical and burning smells. You will smell an electrical odor when the alternator pushes too much electricity through the wires, heating them up. The alternator's drive belt is close to the engine, and when the drive belts start to wear, there will be a burning smell. 6. Hard Starts It's not always your car's battery preventing your vehicle from starting. If you hear a clicking sound when you turn the key in the ignition, there is a problem with the alternator. The alternator is not charging the battery sufficiently. Your car is trying to start from power stored in the battery, but it's not enough to start the engine. Get the problem fixed before your car won't start at all. 7. Battery Problems A failing alternator won't be able to sufficiently charge the battery. Your battery will either be weak or completely dead. Don't assume you have battery problems. Jump-start your car and if the car dies after a jump-start, you know it's the alternator causing the problem and not the battery. When you think your alternator is acting up, ask your Ford technician to perform an inspection and repair the problem asap. Visit Jack Madden Ford today, and our trained Ford technicians will ensure that your car is in excellent running condition.